Monday, May 24, 2021
Pale Rider
- Commentary: I just finished watching this movie for the first time and I feel a little breathless. Some of that, I think, is due to me finally getting around to really appreciating westerns. The rest is due to me finally getting around to appreciating Clint Eastwood.
My Aunt Jean was both a western fan and a Clint Eastwood fan. I even went to the theater with her and my mother when The Outlaw Josie Wales debuted. At that time, it was a "courtesy" visit. I hadn't yet discovered the wonders of westerns, so I watched the movie with blocks in front of my eyes and brain, I am ashamed to admit.
That is no longer true. I have a fair number of westerns in my catalogue to the left, about as many as I have of any type of movie, and I don't think there's a dud in the bunch.
I love the mystery in this movie surrounding The Preacher, from his first appearance to his final disappearance. The story is very involving, with no loose ends. Even The Preacher's departure isn't treated as a loose end. It's as though, although you know you won't be privy to any more of The Preacher's exploits, you know he's headed off to another one, and that's enough.
I love the way Eastwood uses silent showing, through the eyes of other roles, to reveal just enough, even as he heightens the mystery. He also has an acute talent for picking actors, using them well, and respecting not just the story, but the roles the actors play and the actors' strengths, as well.
It's funny, because I considered obtaining the four-pack of Eastwood movies, of which this is one, kind of like an assignment, as though I had an obligation to familiarize myself with this guy's work, considering how much I'm into movies. Well, this movie was a pleasure, Mr. Eastwood, and I'm expecting the next four to be equally pleasing.
The movie came as a Double Feature with the movie The Outlaw Josie Wales.
This movie is filed alphabetically on my shelves as "Clint Eastwood".
Thank you, Mr. Eastwood. I'm really looking forward to the next three movies in this four-pack.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Clint Eastwood The Preacher Michael Moriarty Hull Barret Carrie Snodgress Sarah Wheeler Richard Dysart Coy LaHood Chris Penn Josh LaHood Sydney Penny Megan Wheeler John Russell Marshal Stockburn Richard Kiel Club Doug McGrath Spider Conway Chuck Lafont Eddie Conway Billy Drago Deputy Mather Jeffrey Weissman Teddy Conway Charles Hallahan McGill Marvin J. McIntyre Jagou Fran Ryan Ma Blankenship Richard Hamilton Pa Blankenship
In case you're interested, here is the Wikipedia write-up on this movie.
Release Date: 1985
Directed by Clint Eastwood.
Labels: clint-eastwood, popcorn-and-soda1, revisionist-western, violence1
